Critics of Senate President Russell Pearce have labeled Olivia Cortes a "stealth" candidate who is aiming to divide his opposition. This month, media reports quoted a circulator Cortes supposedly hired as admitting that she is running to dilute the vote against Pearce, the state's foremost immigration hawk.

And even though she has denied that the Pearce camp had asked her to run, an early interview with the candidate reveals she planned to court Hispanic voters in the upcoming Mesa recall election.

A Mesa Republican whom many believe is a sham candidate designed to divide the opposition against Russell Pearce has turned in signatures to qualify for the November special recall election targeting the Senate president.

Lawyers familiar with First Amendment issues and campaign laws said Randy Parraz, one of the organizers of the recall drive targeting Senate President Russell Pearce, would have a tough time proving he was defamed by signs that say he supported the boycott against Arizona and he pines for open borders.